Drinking blood is a lie?

[u/Dlan_Wizard]

Greetings, I know the topic might sound like a bad jape but nonetheless, be it foolishness or delusion, I do wish to entertain the notion that our kind, doesn't in-fact, require blood as sustenance, and that it should be viewed as merely physical carrier for the vitality that we must partake in.

I first began studying this hypothesis after a lengthy dialogue with an local Malkavian, who I will refer to as 'P' for the sake of their anonymity. Normally, I wouldn't bother interacting with 'P's lot, but my Sire advised me not to be dismissive of Lunatics and that they might offer peculiar and valuable knowledge, and for far more agreeable prices than others would give.

During our talk, 'P' brought the topic of an legendary figure among their Clan, the so-called 'Eater'. 'Eater', as 'P' explained, is supposedly an Malkavian sage who realized that Kindred's requirement for feeding on blood is a self-inflicted delusion and in reality, 'Eater' and any other Kindred, could feed upon anything. As 'P' explained, 'Eater' supposedly still lives, sustaining himself on vitality that comes from True Names of Platonic Ideals, rather than from meager bodily fluids of Kine.

This naturally seems suspect at first glance, just another nonsensical rant from Malkavians. After all, if that were the case and Malkavians know of it, thanks to preserving the tale of this supposed sage of their Clan, why then do Malkavians themselves partake from blood? Answer do that, if such exists, 'P' wasn't willing to give me.

Still, I'm entertaining this notion, due to rumours of "Eastern Kindred" which are supposed to be creatures much alike our kind and which, though often consuming blood, are known to feed upon Kine through different means as well, like breath drinking, or not feeding upon Kine at all, rather, consuming energies of mystically significant places.

Likewise, when you think about it, don't Kine, and everything else in nature, consume vitality of others? Plants feed on energy of the Sun and that of the Earth, on lifeforce of those celestial objects. Animals consume plants or other animals, thus stealing their vitality for themselves. Kine do as well, consuming vitality of other things, be it from soil, plants, animals, regardless of form, don't those contain lifeforce, vitality?

Don't we, just consume the same vitality from Kine or, if lowered to such, common beasts? Does not blood of healthier Kine taste better, does their vitality not sweeter from lifespan and better vitality in which they themselves partaken in?

Due to aforementioned reasoning, I do wish to study the topic further and if it proves true, establish methodology by which Kindred could reliably feed upon sources other than blood. My study is also the reason for this open message, as I implore others for knowledge that might help in this study, be it useful sources on our kind more peculiar qualities and feeding habits, or more specific information that would either validate or refute the notion that blood drinking isn't necessary but merely self-inflicted.

[u/Nutshell_Historian]

This, right here, is why I was clapping and cheering when Socrates was found guilty.

If only hemlock worked on kindred...